Healthy Homes Assessment Plimmerton

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Plimmerton rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

• Draught Stopping
• Heating
• Insulation
• Ventilation
• Moisture Ingress & Drainage

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work that needs to be done and provide the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Plimmerton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed lease is entered into on a Plimmerton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct a house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Plimmerton, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who experience four or more major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Plimmerton rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping on Plimmerton rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Plimmerton Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Plimmerton

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in homes. A damp home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of the home need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the household warms and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will test all doors and windows during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Plimmerton

Rental properties in Plimmerton need to have a stable source of heat that is able to heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must have a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source such as an air conditioner, it could require a top up to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Plimmerton

Each liveable space in the rental property should include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dried air can be easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or skylight needs to be able open to the outside, but remain at an open angle to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Plimmerton

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and will also make it easier to the house to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Plimmerton Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the building. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Plimmerton

Rental property areas affected to Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Plimmerton include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Plimmerton for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over during the house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property house assessment.